Windsor restaurant re-opens ‘Taystee’r than ever

Taystee Grill and Seafood has officially reopened after a fire two years ago. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has more.

After being shuttered for over two years, Windsor restaurant Taystee Grill and Seafood is back in business along Wyandotte Street East.

“Me and my wife and my kids, we are so happy. We’ve been struggling the past two years just to open,” owner Haissam Chouman told CTV News.

In October 2022, the restaurant caught fire after being broken into. At the time, he told CTV News he wasn’t frustrated enough by break-in attempts to give up on the area.

“Everybody has to be positive, you know,” Chouman said.

“I’m not going to give up every time. I am going to be successful just here on Wyandotte because I love this area.”

Chouman is happy to be back in the neighbourhood and gave back to the community through Street Help, a block away.

“Glad that he came by and donated some food for us to give out to our people. It’s a great honour to know that guy,” said Anthony Nelson, volunteer coordinator.

The restaurant, which will employ up to 10 people, is sparkling new inside with an expanded menu for fine dining.

The re-opening of Taystee brings up thoughts of theming and districting. Drouillard Road has Ford City. Erie Street has Little Italy, and the Middle Eastern community is well represented in our cultural mosaic.

“This is a natural street to have as a Middle Eastern area,” noted Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens.

He brought up a $1-million proposal from the past to create a global street. The idea was eventually taken off the table.

“We pulled the pin on that because we knew it would get destroyed very, very quickly, but it also didn’t reflect the spirit that this street now holds,” said Dilkens.

Chouman’s wife, Rawda Bazzi, believes Wyandotte is on the right path to vibrancy.

“We want it to be like Erie Street and like Walkerville down the road,” Bazzi said.

“We hope it will be that way. With the help of everybody here and in this community, we will have it that way. We hope so.”

Her husband believes that.

“That’s why I put my money here. It’s going to be the best street in Windsor,” he said.